Evaluating quantum compilers for neutral-atom processors has lacked both achievable performance references and methods to pinpoint causes of inefficiency. A new benchmarking framework, NAKO, addresses this gap by comparing compiler results against guaranteed minimums for key metrics like Rydberg stages and atom movement. The system assesses compilers, the software translating instructions into actions, for neutral atom quantum computers; it goes beyond measuring performance improvements.

The system compares compiler results against guaranteed minimums for key metrics such as the number of interactions needed between atoms and how much they must move during computation. This enables researchers to pinpoint why certain approaches are inefficient and actively improve these key components as systems grow more complex. A team has unveiled a set of tools addressing a vital challenge in quantum computing: evaluating compilers for neutral atom processors.

Assessing how well these ‘translating’ programs perform lacked both clear performance benchmarks *and* the ability to pinpoint inefficiencies; consider trying to diagnose an issue with sound quality without knowing what optimal volume levels should be. NAKO compares compiler outputs against guaranteed minimums for key metrics like “Rydberg stages,” akin to turning up the volume on an amplifier requiring precise control, or “routing intervals” similar to planning efficient delivery routes between locations. By establishing achievable targets and providing detailed physical states, NAKO not only quantifies resource gaps but also allows scientists to trace excess costs back to specific compiler decisions.

NAKO benchmarking exposes and resolves inefficiencies in quantum compilation for neutral atoms

Diagnosis-guided interventions reduced mean atom movement by 78.9% across five matched circuits when utilising the Enola compiler, a reduction previously unattainable due to difficulties pinpointing specific causes of inefficiency within neutral-atom processor compilation strategies. NAKO, a new benchmarking framework designed to evaluate quantum compilers for reconfigurable neutral-atom processors, enables this breakthrough through executable references guaranteeing minimum resource usage such as “Rydberg stages” (controlling signal strength) or “routing intervals” (planning efficient delivery routes).

A thorough evaluation involving 648 runs with both Enola and OLSQ-DPQA successfully identified distinct bottlenecks in each compiler’s performance allowing targeted improvements. The NAKO framework revealed that while Enola consistently achieves the target number of entangling stages, a key measure of circuit complexity, it exhibits higher atom movement; its mean movement cost was measured at 36.914 compared to a baseline ratio of one.

Conversely, OLSQ-DPQA uses fewer movement layers in successful runs yet requires more entangling stages and incurs greater routing intervals averaging ratios of 2.366 and 2.984 respectively. Further analysis showed that increasing logical depth from ten to fifty gates saw absolute movement rise from 215.2 to 1110 for Enola, while OLSQ-DPQA’s increased only slightly from 18 to 89.6 units, these results demonstrate persistent trade-offs as workloads grow larger.

Initial Findings Validate Compiler Bottleneck Isolation Despite Limited Scope

While NAKO improves compiler performance by pinpointing inefficiencies within neutral atom systems, its current scope, limited to five matched circuits and two compilation strategies, raises an important question regarding the representativeness of these findings. The authors acknowledge this limitation but highlight an ongoing tension inherent in benchmarking: achieving broad applicability versus deep diagnostic insight. Expanding beyond this initial evaluation requires significant effort; it may reveal that bottlenecks differ markedly across diverse circuit structures or with newer compilers like Atomique and Q-Pilot currently under development.

Pairing benchmark circuits with guaranteed optimal solutions, defining minimum resource usage such as ‘Rydberg stages’ controlling signal strength or routing intervals akin to delivery routes, allows NAKO to move beyond measuring overall performance. This precise diagnosis identifies specific decisions driving excess costs in areas like atom movement or unnecessary entanglement steps within compilation strategies. The team has demonstrably shown how isolating compiler-induced inefficiencies is vital given the complexity of jointly optimising gate scheduling, atom placement and physical qubit movement during computation. Next efforts will focus on broadening this diagnostic capability to encompass diverse circuit designs and emerging compilers including Atomique and Q-Pilot.

NAKO is a benchmarking framework that evaluates neutral-atom processor compilers by comparing their outputs against known optimal solutions for circuits parameterized by qubit count, depth, and gate density. This approach moves beyond simple performance measurement by identifying specific causes of excess resource usage, such as unnecessary atom movement or entanglement stages, within compilation strategies like Enola and OLSQ-DPQA. Analysis of 648 runs revealed distinct bottlenecks: interventions using NAKO reduced mean atom movement in Enola by 78.9%. The authors are expanding this diagnostic capability to include more circuit designs and newer compiler tools.

👉 More information
🗞 NAKO: A Benchmarking Framework for Evaluating and Diagnosing Neutral-Atom Quantum Compilers
✍️ Wenjie Sun, Zhigang Wang, Xiaoyu Li, Desheng Zheng, Lianhui Yu, Geng Chen and Guowu Yang
🧠 ArXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2610.39296

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